Did you hear the allegation (shot in the dark) that Republicans (desperate) are running a TV ad that uses a subliminal message (better than their actual message) by inserting the word rats (good description) to describe Al Gore's (paranoid) Medicare plan (fiasco)?

Come on. Who would be sleazy enough (a politician or a journalist) to use a subliminal message (read this and love it) to make a point?

How pathetic (smart).

Murphy backs Moorman
Covington mayoral hopeful Bernie Moorman has picked up the endorsement of one of the candidates who also wanted to win the office  former Covington cop Ray Murphy.

Mr. Murphy, a retired sergeant with the Covington police force now working as a Kenton County Deputy sheriff, finished fourth in May's four-candidate primary.

The primary winners were Mr. Moorman and veteran City Commissioner Butch Callery. They will face off in November. Also in the primary race was incumbent Mayor Jim Eggemeier, who finished third.

Mr. Murphy, a Republican, is backing Mr. Moorman, a Democrat, in the nonpartisan race because I know Bernie shares my frustrations and is dedicated to making City Hall more responsive to Covington's residents.

Mr. Murphy, former president of the Covington Fraternal Order of Police, ran on a platform that the city's leaders have largely ignored the city's neighborhoods to concentrate on developing the riverfront, a charge incumbent commissioners and city officials have denied.

Mr. Moorman is running on a similar platform, saying Mr. Callery has forgotten that Covington extends south of Fourth Street.

I have listened as Ray Mur phy has raised the same concerns, the same frustrations with City Hall's performance, Mr. Moorman said, so it's especially refreshing and reassuring to have Ray come forward with an endorsement.

Mr. Callery will get his chance to brag about an endorsement when Mr. Eggemeier steps up to support him.

Mr. Eggemeier, who despite losing the primary can still boast a viable political base from his more than a decade on the city commission, has privately said he will eventually endorse Mr. Callery in the race.

We'll get lots of Democrats  there are more people going to vote Democratic in the election than people think  and the Republicans can come out and cheer for the next president, said Steve Hoffmann, a Kenton County magistrate and a leading member of the county's Democratic Party.

Dems shouldn't count on Mr. Gore's showing up. That late in the election cycle, he'll be spending his time in electoral vote rich states such as Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.